Coding and decoding system



Jan. 21, 1947. M. H. LOUGHRIDGE 2,414,472

' comm AND DECODING SYSTEM 1 Filed March 31, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Selecbr C77a/7ge-0rer5m' .98 I I 99 Y v I I INVENTOR.

Jalyl- 1947- M.'H. LOUGHRIDGE 4, 7

CODING AND,DECODINQ SYSTEM Filed March 51, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nam/70 11672390761 Majnefik: Iron vJim- 1, 1947- M. H. LOUGHRIDGE CODING AND DECODING SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 31, '1941 xv a @2223 INVENTOR. v

Jan. 21, 1947. M. LOUGHRIDGE 7 I CODING AND DECODING SYSTEM Filed March 31, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IIIIIIHI'IIIIIIIIIII 235' ,725 L I 242 i flag-6 239 Patented Jan. 21, 1947 CODING AND DECODING SYSTEM Matthew H. Loughridge, Bogota, N. J.; William R. Lockridge adminis Loughridge, deceased trator of Matthew H.

Application March 31, 1941, Serial No. 386,169

9 Claims. 1

This invention relates to coding and de-coding systems such as may be used in accounting work and statistical records, it is however of general application, and also is shown in one form in connection with controlling trafiic on a railroad.

An object of the invention is to provide a code selector system operated inductively by scanners, and also to provide a system of this kind operating between a moving vehicle and trackway devices for selectively registering the movement of the vehicle, or for directing its course on the track.

Other objects are to provide a code selective system located partly on a vehicle and partly on the trackway with means for operating apparatus on the trackway according to a code, and other for operating an apparatus on the vehicle according to a predetermined code.

Another object of the invention is to provide a code selective system for operating track switches'by an approaching vehicle with means for changing the code for each vehicle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a code selective system with a change-over control for operating according to one code and then changing over to operate according to another code.

These and other objects of the invention will be more particularly understood from the following specifications and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram of one portion of the code selector system which may be located on a vehicle or moving object;

Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram of the scanners for operating the system shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram of a portion of a second code selector system which is operated, through a change over mechanism, by the system shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram of a de-coding system using rotary de-coding members for each element of the code;

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the de-coding discs shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a graphic representation of the code system used in Figs. 1 to 4;

Fig. 7 shows an application of the system in Figs. 1 and 2 for the selective operation of a turn-out switch on a railway track;

Fig. 8 shows an application of the system in Figs. 1 and 3 for describing a train on a railway track, and

Fig. 9 shows an alternative arrangement for operating the circuits between the trackway and the vehicle by the use of resonant circuits.

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of a three-position relay switch used in Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is a side view, in elevation, ofa portion of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is an end view from the top end of Fig. 10, partly sectioned, showing the arrangement of the contact fingers;

Fig-13 is an end view from the lower end of Fig. 10, showing the operating magnets and the toggle mechanism controlling the circuits, and

Fig. 14 is a front view of the toggle member used in Fig. 13.

This invention is based upon the application of a coded system in a variety of forms, which coded system is described in the following copending applications: 205,186, April 30, 1938, Code selective systems, now Patent No. 2,266,779, December 23, 1941; 248,894, Dec. 31, 1938, Coding machine, now Patent No. 2,269,293, January 6, 1942;' 282,833, July 4, 1939, Inductive selector, now Patent No. 2,323,822, July 6, 1943; 315,300, Jan. 24, 1940, Pneumatic selective system, now Patent No. 2,378,489, June 19, 1945; 344,493, July 9, 1940, Code selective apparatus, now Patent No. 2,320,150, May 25, 1943. A Variety of decoding systems, part of which are shown in this application, also are included in application, Serial No. 417,969, filed November 5, 1941, now Patent No. 2,387,850, October 30,1945.

The apparatus shown in connection with Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive relates to railway systems and the control of tralhc thereon; it should be understood, however, that the principles of the invention are of general application and their association with railway systems is shown as a matter of convenience.

The code selective system is applied by apparatus on the vehicle which is operated by scanners on the trackway, selectively to set up conditions for operating turn-out switches on the track according to a prearranged code. The vehicle apparatus is controlled by a code selector switch so that the code may be changed to operate switches on different tracks. The impulses between the vehicle apparatus and the trackway scanners are transmitted inductively and simultaneously.

The system also provides for describing the train according to a code and for this purpose a second code system is provided on the trackway to be operated by scanners from the vehicle as it passes over the trackway devices. This arrangement is also operated inductively, and by a change-over switch on the vehicle certain of the inductors which were used for the first code selector are made available as scanners to operate the second code selector. The change-over mechanism is operated by trackway devices to establish the second code, and when the train is to be described by more than one code, a three-position relay switch is used on the vehicle-to change over the system to describe the train first under one code and, secondly, under the second code at the next track location.

The scanners that operate the code selector system on the vehicle for operating the switch are de-coded according to the designation of the switch so that when the scanners and the switch designation synchronize, the switch is operated but at other times it is not operated. The deccding r escribing the vehicle, on the other hand, must be translated in a legible form and is usually recorded by the de-coding mechanism. In the present application the code is made up of three characters, each of which may include the numbers from to 9 and the code may be de-coded into any combination of these numbers.

In the direct de-coding system a de-coding relay is provided for each position in the base of the code and when any three of these relays are energized a code is established.

The impulses for operating the system between the scanners and the coding apparatus may be operated by contacting members establishing an electric circuit for the operation of the coding relays; it may be operated by electro-magnetic induction, or it may be operated by photo-electric cells controlled by a light beam. The system is shown operated by electro-magnetic induction in which a movable inductor moves over a relatively fixed inductor to give the impulse or the transmitting inductor may be energized by alternating current. The same inductor may be provided with two or more coils, each included in a resonant circuit and arranged to operate a corresponding resonant circuit which makes each inductor equivalent to separate inductors with the same number of coils. A single impulse can be made to operate the relay, or a prolonged impulse may be used; it is essential, however, in a code of this type in which all the selected relays function at the same time that the impulses be made simultaneously, that is so arranged that the selected code relays will all be energized at the same time.

The three position relay has a neutral position and a coil for moving it in one direction from the neutral position and a second coil for moving it in the opposite direction from the neutral position. The relay includes a toggle mechanism which, when the relay is operated in one direction, is shifted to the opposite position to establish the circuit of the opposite coil for the next operation. This mechanism works both ways and insures that the relay each time it is energized alternately operates in opposite directions.

The code selector circuit of convenience.

In Fig. 1, showing the apparatus which would be mounted on the vehicle in thisexample, 21 is 7 an inductor provided with a coil 22, connected by circuit 23, through contact finger 24, with the full wave rectifier 25. Qne side of the output of this rectifier connects to the common wire 25 for all the inductors, and the other side, through wire 27, and a contact 28, on the bail 29 of the code selector switch connects to the appropriate disc 35 of that switch. The circuit continues by conductor 3i to the code relay 32 the other side of which is connected to the common wire 26. This circuit is repeated on each set of inductors from 0 to 9 to operate the corresponding set of code relays from 5 to 9 through the code selector switch. In each position the bail 29 establishes a circuit from its contacts 28 to three only of the discs 35 of this code selector switch, the drawings indicating that the circuit is established to code discs I, 3 and 5 which thus establishes the code used for the illustration. When the bail 29 is moved a new set of circuits is established between its contacts 28 and the contacts of the other discs 35, thus establishing a new code.

The code relays 0 to l are provided with contact fingers 33, relays l to 8 are provided with contact fingers 34, relays 2 to 9 with contact fingers 35, and relays 3 to 9 with contact fingers 38. These fingers control a row of parallel circuits through their back contacts 3'1, 38, 39 and lit'respectively, which repeat from relay to relay as shown. The fingers also control a set of circuits through their front contacts by conductors M, 2 and 43 which transfers the circuit at each energized relay from one parallel row to the next parallel row. The circuit starts at relay 5 in the direction of the arrow and ends at contacts 35, 36 of relay 9, which latter connect to conductor 44 and the back contact 45 of relay 46 to conductor 3? which energizes relay 48. The return circuit is connected from the arrow point at relay dsto the arrow at contact 33 of relay 32 of code relay 0. The repeating circuit controlled by the code relays is so arranged that any three of the code relays in the energized position and the remaining relays in the deenergized position will energize relay lfl. Any other combination of code relays will interrupt instead of completing the-circuit of relay 48. 1 -.1 When relay 58 is energized a circuit is established from transformer 5|, through front contact 49 of relay 48 and conductor 52 to coil 53 of another inductor, indicated at X, and its return circuit on conductor 54. When relay 48 is energized a circuit is also established through front contact 50 to conductor 55 and magnet 56 on bail 25 of the code selector switch. Magnet 55 operates a spring controlled ratchet, not shown in the drawings, which, when magnet 56 is released, moves the bail 29 forward one step to establish a new code. The scanning apparatus in Fig. 2, mounted on the trackway in this example comprises a plurality of inductors 5? each with a coil 58, connected by circuit 59 with the transformer 65. Three of these inductors are shown in multiple circuit to register with inductors I, 3 and .5 of the apparatus of Fig. 1, which transmit operating impulses to circuits connected with inductors I, 3 and 5, when the bail is in the position shown, to correspondingly energize the code relays I, 3 and 5 and thereby energize relay. e8. This also energizes the impulse inductor X by the circuit already described which in turn transmits impulses to track inductor Y. The coil 6| of inductor Y is connected by circuit 62 withthe rectifier 63 and by circuit 64 to-the translating device 65 that is used to register the code in any manner desired. It will be noted that when bail 29 changes to a new code position the track inductor-s 51 next encountered must be located to register with the train inductors 2| that bail 29 brings into circuit in the new position, otherwise the system will not synchronize. That is to say the track inductors 51 are located to register with the desired vehicle inductors H of code positions to 9; and since the system illustrated uses a code base of three, the three track inductors 51 can be arranged in any of one hundred twenty different combinations with the ten vehicle inductors.

As explained, each time a set of code impulses are transmitted through the code selector switch to the code relaysthe magnet ratchet. mechanism 53 steps the bail to the nextselected code position, thus conditioning the circuits to function when the next set of track inductors is encountered, or the set corresponding to that setting of the code selector switch.

Whenthe train carried inductors 2i are to be used as scanners, the magnet I9 with its associated mechanism may be added to the train carried mechanism, and the decoding relays of Fig. 3 located along the trackway. Magnet 19 functions through armature IE on contact bar 75, which carries the stud member I1 and 18. The stud members 11 are on the lower side of bar 15 and when magnet I9 i energized the bar 15 is moved downwardlyso that these studs engage the contacts 24 at each location by moving the bar I5 downwards, to open the circuit to the respective rectifiers 25 and close the circuits to the conductor 85, through the respective contacts 36, The stud members 78 on the upper side of bar I5 are in an inactive position and do not influence the contacts 24, but all are manually adjustable to active or inactive positions to establish any code desired. When magnet I9 is energize-d the circuit to the coil 22 of inductor I, inductor 3 and inductor 5 are connected to transformer 83 through conductor 85, the return circuit being established by the common conductor 81. This placesthe inductors I, 3' and 5 in condition totransmit impulses to registering inductors,'such as 91 illustrated in Fig. 3.

Transformer 99 (Fig. 3) through circuit 90 and condenser 9i energizes coil 92 of inductor Y. This transmits impulses to inductor X, energizing its coil 53, and through circuit 54, primary of transformer 95, conductor 93, back contact 49 of relay 48 and return circuit 52, transformer 94 energizes relay 46, through circuit 95 and condenser 96 which is resonant to condenser 9|. Relay 45 energized disconnects relay 48 at 45 and through contact finger SI and conductor 80 energizes the change-over magnet, or relay, 19. A circuit is also established through contact finger 82 of relay 45 to energize transformer 83, which energizes the inductors brought into circuit by the magnet 19.

A second row of inductors are indicated in Fig. 3, which may be located along the trackway, and which" register with the corresponding inductors Fig. 1. Each of these includes the inductor 91 with the coil 98 which, through rectifier 99 and circuit I99, energizes the de-coding relays IEII, respectively. In the circuit as shown in Fig. 3 inductors I, 3 and 5 are in circuit when relay I9 is energized and de-coding relays I 3 and 5 are energized while the remaining relays are deenergize'd.

:In this arrangement it will be noted that the 6 scanning inductors in Fig. 2 operate the coding relays of Fig. 1 through the code selector switch by means of which any predetermined code may be established. When the code is established impulses are transmitted between inductors X and Y which operate the translating device 65.

The de-coding system in Fig. 3 may be brought into use, when the scanning system in Fig. 2 is not required. In order to effect this change-over the energized inductor Y transmits impulses to inductor X which energizes the change-over relay I9, thereby changing the inductors 2| to scanning inductors to operate the de-coding relays IOI according to the selected circuit determined by the studs 1'! on the bar I5.

In applying this system, three sets of impulses are simultaneously brought into use to establish the code desired; there 'is no interval needed between these sets of impulses and therefore the apparatus is always ready for operation and its operation is relatively speedy. It should be understood that certain timed relation is necessary to secure the proper sequence of operation, for instance, the change-over relay I9 should be operated by the time the inductors 2| and 9! come into register. For thi purpose, if the inductors 2| are moving relative to 91, the inductor Y may be located to register with inductor X in advance of the other inductors so as to energize relay 45 and magnet I9 to effect a change over at the proper time. Magnet'19 and relay 45 are indicated as of the slow releasing type so as to maintain the operating conditions established by inductor Y after the inductor X has passed out of register with Y. The particular method of securing the time sequence in the operation of the system will depend upon the purpose to which it is applied. For certain purposes an electric or pneumatic slow release may be used for 46 and I9, and in other cases, where the time factor may be prolonged, the usual plan is to provide a stick relay control which will maintain the established conditions until the function is completed.

De-coding system A system for de-coding the elements of the code separately is shown in Figs. 4 and 5 and uses the electric motorstat shown in my said application Serial No. 282,833, new Patent No. 2,323,822, issued July 6, 1943. The de-coding relays I9I are provided with contact fingers H02, II 03 and H04 which control acircuit from relay to relay through the back contact of the first finger and conductor I3I, also a second circuit controlled by the back contact of the second contact finger and conductor I32 from relay to relay and a third circuit through the back contact of the third contact finger through conductor I33 from relay to relay. A circuit is also controlled from a front contact of the first finger by conductor I34 to the second finger of the next relay and another circuit is controlled by conductor I35 from the front contact of the second contact finger to the third contact finger of the adjoining relay.

Three motorstats, A, B and C are operated by the de-coding relays and are provided with numerals or other marks so that the selective position in which the rotor is stopped corresponds with the numeral of the code which is represented by the controlling relay. The stator is provided with poles numbered from 0 to 9 and with a rotor which is non-magnetic and is driven by means not shown in the drawings. The rotor is provided with a magnetic iron bar which res- 7 isters with each of the poles of the. stator as it rotates and if the coil of the pole is energized by direct current it is magnetically stopped opposite the energized pole.

When relay Hll of the decodingrelays is energized a circuit is established. through H02, conductor I36 to coil 8 of motorstat A and return by the common conductor M3. When the next decoding relay 1 is energized and the first de-cod ing relay is deenergized, a circuit is established in conductor I31 to Gail I; when relay 2 is energized, and relays 0 and l are deenergized a circuit is established by conductor I33 to coil 2, and when relay 3 is energized and relays 9, I and 2 are deenergized a circuit is, established through conductor I39 to coil 3. In the same way, the front contact finger of relays 4, 5, 6, i, 8 and 9. energize the corresponding coils of the motorstat A when each relay is energized and thev preceding relays are deenergized.

When'relays 0 and, i are energized a circuit is established on conductor I37 to coil 1 of motorstat B; when relay 3 is deenergizcd and relays I and 2 are energized a circuit is established on conductor E38 to coil 2 of B. In the same way each of the coils of motorstat B are energized progressively by the code relays when any two of these relays are energized and the preceding relays are deenergized. A circuit is established to conductor I38 for coil 2 of motorstat C when relays 2, i and 0 are energized; a circuit is established to coil 3 when relays 3, 2 and l are energized and relay 0 is deenergized. In the same way the remaining coils of motorstat C are energized progressively by the succeeding code relays when any three of the relays are energized and the remaining preceding relays are deenergized.

It will be noted that the first relay energized from the entering side of the circuit positions the motorstat A according to the location of this relay in the group, the second relay energized from the entering side of the circuit positions the motorstat B according to the location of this relay in the group and the third relay energized positions the motorstat 0 according to the position of this relay in the group. The operation of B is subject to the control of A and the operation of' C is subject to the control of A and B. Other known systems of decoding may be used instead of that shown in this figure.

Fig. 5 shows one arrangement of the motorstats A, B and C mounted on a stand I340 and provided with a platen I350 which may be operated to register the position of each of these discs after a code has been established.

Graphic representation 0 f the code The code to which this system is applied is graphically represented in Fig. 6 in which the base of the code is represented by M9 and by the horizontal lines from 0 to 3. The characters of the code are indicated by the circles on the cross lines and by the numbers I50 in the horizontal row. For each code three characters are used and they are positioned on the base in such a way that at least the position of one of the characters for a particular code difiers from all other codes. Opposite line are the three characters on the base are indicated on line EH2 which may be regarded as the starting position and. represents the first code designated by (M2. For the next code the character on line 2 of the base is changed to line 3, making the code- M3; for the next codcithecharacter:on. line. 3 of the. base: is;

changed to line 4 making'the code 015', and so on for each of the remaining characters: until code 919 is reached; the position of the characters in the code base can easily be read on the cross lines. The code [H8 exhausted thi group and the next code is set up by moving character I on the base to the position of character 2 and moving character 2 to the position of character 3; this sets up the code 023; the next code is established by changing character 3 on the base to position 4, setting up code 824 and this condition is repeated until code 029 is established. The next code 034 is established by a character in position 0, the next character in position 3 and the next character in position 4 corresponding with de i; the next code 033 is established by changing the position of character 4 to position 5 and so on until code 039 is established. The designation of the code in each case is obtained from the position of the code characters on the base as indicated at 149.

When the positions of the second and third characters on the base are exhausted the first character is moved from position 0 to position 1 and the second and third characters are moved accordingly. This condition is indicated at the right in Fig. 6 in which the code I23 is established by the characters on the corresponding base lines. 7

In order to prevent the same characters from repeating in the code, it is usual to apply the characters in ascending order, for instance, when code I23 is used then code I32, which has the same characters, should not be used. This idea is carried out in the operation of the motorstat in Fig. 4 in which the circuits for operating disc A for all positions are provided, while the circuit for operating disc B to position 0 is omitted and the circuits for operating disc C to position 0 and 1 are omitted.

For a code of this type, having three changeable characters, used in ascending order, the capacity is the product of the three highest numbers of the base, divided by the product. of the number of changeable characters. This may be applied as follows: Let X, Y, Z represent the three highest numbers in the basev of the code, then:

By this formula a code having three changeable characters on a base of 10 has a capacity of and the system having three changeable characters on a base of 12 has a capacity of 220. The code can readily be expanded as found necessary and the principles of the invention can be expanded to code and decode for any increase desired. The relays by which the system is applied operate a code having a common base and operate on the group plan. The same group of relays always produce the same results. They are usually arranged in ascending order so that the same relays do not repeat for difierent codes.

Application to control of railway trafiic The selective operation secured by this coding system may be used for controlling railway trafiic as indicated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 and in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The apparatus in Fig. 1 may be carried on a moving train while the apparatus in Figs. 2 and 3 may be located on the trackway so that the train carried apparatus is movable relative to the trackway apparatus. The application in; Fig: 7'

' isfor the selective operation citracl; switches; in

which l-8 and I9 represent the rails of the track and'l36 is the code number of the first switch,

The trackway inductors 51 are placed in locations I, 3 and 6 as indicated by the dotted line to operate the code selector system in Fig. 1, thereby energizing inductor Y and operating the switch apparatus which, in this instance, corresponds to the translating device 65 of Figure 1. It will be understood that the track inductors 51 .have previously been located in the predetermined code positions to 9 for each switch. Also the contacts. on the discs 30 of the code selector switch'have been pre-set in the particular order desired and to correspond with the codes of the switches in the order to be encountered so that the proper circuits will be made through contacts 28 of bail 29 of the code selector switch to the code relays 32, all as has heretofore been described.

In Fig. '7 the switch to the right is operated by a code which is manually established and which may be changed at will so that the operator can switch any approaching car to the turn-out switch whose code he already knows. The inductors I connect by conductors 59 to a row of parallel bars over which the crossbar I5I is placed and may be plugged into the circuit of any of the conductors 59 by the plugs I65, I6I and I52; the bars selected correspond with the code desired. A stick relay I 55 has a pick-up circuit I56, closed by the push button I5! to energize the relay and close a holding circuit through contact finger I58, conductor I59 and back contact finger I2 of relay 68. This circuit holds relay I55 energized until the train passes over the switch. Transformer 65, through contact finger I52, when re-- lay I 55 is energized, energizes bar I5I and thereby energizes the selected inductors 51. If the control by the stick relay I55 is not required, a

shunt circuit around this relay is provided by switch I54 and conductor I53.

When inductor Y is energized relay 65 is energized through conductor 64 and through front contact 69, and conductor I0 energizes the switch operating mechanism II for reversing the switch. After the train passes over the switch it passes over the inductor Z indicated at 65 which is momentarily energized by train carried inductor X and energizes conductor 61 and relay 68. This closes the front contact I2 to conductor I3 which energizes the switch mechanism ll to operate the switch from the reverse to the normal position. Energizing relay 68 interrupts the circuit of the stick relay I55 and restores normal conditions until the push button I5! is again operated. A developed circuit for controlling the switch is shown in U. S. Patent 1,381,317, June 14, 1921, to Loughridge. d

1' The arrangement in Fig. 8 shows two sets of inductors placed on the trackway for receiving code signals from the train or vehicle. One set of'these inductors is placed at one side of the station P and' another corersponding set is placed at the opposite side of the station. When one set of code signals only are to be transmitted to the trackway for describing the train, only one set 'oi'trackway inductors are required with a changeover arrangement by relay I9 as indicated in Fig. 1. If the train is to be described by two sets of codes, one representing the point of origin, and the other representing the destination, then the and 58b, may be placed on the same inductor, each of which are connected with condensers I53. The same arrangement is applied on the vehicle for coils 22a and 22b which include the condensers I64 resonant to I53. The resonant circuits obtain the results with fewer inductors.

Three-pos tion relay switch.

The three-position relay switch shown in Figs. 16-14 may be substituted for the change-over magnet I9 and operates from a neutral position to the right and from the neutral position to the left, the right and left positions setting up different conditions in the circuits controlled by the device. In the operation shown a sprin iree stores the device to the neutral position when the operating magnets are deenergized. When the magnet to the right is energized the switch is moved from the neutral position to the right and when the magnet at the left is energized the switch is moved from the neutral position to the left. In the present application the operating magnets are so controlled by the mechanism that the switch moves from the neutral position to the right, then back to the neutral position, then from the neutral position to the left and back to the neutral position and then to the right-again, alternately from the neutral position to the. right and to the left for application to the trackway arrangement shown in Fig. 8.

This mechanism comprises a stand 255 supporting a shaft 255 upon which sockets 283 and 254 are mounted and these sockets carry the ine sulated bodies 20I and 252 of the switch mechanism. Arm 20! is mounted on shaft 205 and is provided with a sprin 208, Fig. 12, connected to the frame or stand 205, which applies a bias to the shaft 255 to bring the bodies 2M and 292 to the neutral position.

The body 2lll is provided with a row of ten keys, 2H], which can be depressed against the spring 2I2 so that the insulated lower end 2I3 of stud I1 is in position to engage the contact finger 24, mounted on the base 209. The body ZBI also is provided with a row of ten plungers 2 I8, each of which has a stem body 2I5 sliding in a slot 2 I4 in the corresponding key 2 Ill. This stem body is provided with an inclined surface 2I6 which engages the slot 2 I4 in the corresponding key 2 Ill. By this arrangement each plunger that is pressed inwardly in the row 2 I 8 depresses the corresponding key in row 2H] and holds these keys depressed so that the selected studs 11 are positioned to set up the circuits desired when the switch is operated to the position to bring this row of contacts into use. A plate 2I9 is mounted on the stem of the plungers 2I8 and through which the plungers freely move. This plate is provided with a handle 220, which when withdrawn, withdraws the plungers in the row 2 I8 to the released position, thereby restoring the keys in row 21B and placing the mechanism in condition for a new set of plungers to be operated. The insulated body .252 is provided with a corresponding set of keys 2 II which are operated in a similar manner by the row of plungers 258. The end of the plunger stem H5 is provided with a hook 2I'I which secures a latching engagement between the plunger 2I5 and the key 2I0 so that the plunger cannot be moved out of place accidentally.

The shaft 255 is operated to the right and to the left by the operating magnets I9, I9, mounted by their back strap 221 on the frame 206, Fig. 13. Magnet I9 is of the solenoid type and operates a plunger 230 connected by the link 229 with the and 228,. mounted. on. shaft 205-. 'Magnet'. 1.9 op.- eratesplunger 232.c'onnecte'd' by link:23| with the opposite end of armj228. Bythisconstructi'onthe arm 228 is tilted to the position indicated by the dotted lines whichmoves the bodies. 2M and 252 clockwise when magnet 19. is energized, and counter-clockwise when magnet 19 is energized.

A control member 235 is mounted to slide horizontally on the disc 23?,secured to frame 256, bythe-screws 236 engaging the slots in 235 as indicated. A toggle mechanism 245} having a plunger controlled by spring 244' engages a notch 243 on the sliding member'235 so that when this member passes beyond the centerthe toggle completes its movement in either direction.

The'sliding member 235 is provided with an in- V clined finger 238 pivoted at 239 and normally resting on the stop 24!.v This member is free to move away from the stop like a ratchet and is engaged by the pin 234 on the arm 228 as this arm is moved upwards by the magnet 19 until the pin assumes the position indicated at 234. When magnet 19 is deenergized the mechanism is restored to the neutral position by spring 298, this brings the pin 234 into engagement with the inclined finger 238 and moves the sliding member 235 to the left, which movement is completed by the toggle 245. A corresponding construction is provided at the opposite end of the sliding member 235' in which pin 233 in the arm 228 engages the finger 242 when the pin returns from the position indicated at 233 to the normal position, thereby moving the sliding member 235 back to the position shown. Member 235 carries the insulated contact finger T2|controlling the circuit of magnets 19 and 19' The circuit is established from the control wire Bil through finger 'iZl to contact 122 on disc 231, wire 123 to magnet 19 and return on wire 124; This energizes magnet 19 when wire eeis'energized. After magnet 19 has operated and the mechanism is restored to the neutral positiomthe contact finger 12 is disconnected from contact 122 and connected to contact 125 and through wire- 125, magnet 19 is energized for the next operation. After this operation is completed and the mechanism restored to the neutral position, contact finger T2! is again connected with 122 and disconnected from contact 125 to repeat the'cycle of operation.

The circuit in Fig. 1 shows an arrangement in which magnet 79 controls one set of contacts 24 only. When two sets of contacts are controlled, as inthe application of the three-position relay switch, the circuit controlled thereby is modified as indicated in Fig. 12. In this circuit it is necessary that the operation to one position will disconnect relays 32 and'connect the inductors 2| with the transformer 83; it is also necessary that the same results be obtained when the switch is operated to the opposite position.

For this purpose the circuit on wire 23 is continued through contact 22| (Fig. 12) on the base 209, contact finger 2-4, conductor 2413, contact 22 la at the opposite side, contact finger 24a and conductor 240 to coil 22 of inductor 2|, thereby connecting the inductor in series with relay 32 through the rectifier 25. This is the normal condition. When contact 24 is depressed by the switch mechanism, a circuit is established from transformer 83, through. 85, contact 222, contact finger 24,. conductor 24%), contact 22m, contact finger 24a, conductor 240 to coil 22 of inductor 2| and return on conductor 81. This disconnects 12 contact finger 2 4a is depressed, the circuittoscorrductor 24b is interrupted, thereby disconnecting: 25 and t2 and conductor 24c'is connected through contact 222a to and transformer 83 to energizethe inductor 2| for scanning purposes.

When applied to a. railway system as. inFig; 8, the three position relay switch. adjusts the system to operate first from a code set uponthe body 20| ofthe switch and at the next locationv to. operate the system according to a code set up. on body This conditions the system for a corresponding operation at thenextflocation.

Thissystem admits of extensive expansionand, if necessary, for this purpose the base of the code can be increased so that a large number of functions may be remotely controlled from a central point and according to a predetermined 7 selection. The apparatus necessary for carrying out this system is commercial stock and may be readily assembled from existing sources. I

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A railway system comprising a track with a turnout switch thereon, means for operating said switch, a vehicle on said track, a code selector on said vehicle, means on the track for operating said code selector, means connecting said code selector with said switch operating means, manually controlled means on the track for adjusting said connecting means to operate the switch by any one of a group of codes and means for cancelling said manually controlled means after the vehicle passes over the switch.

2. A coding system for describing a train on a railway track, comprising a plurality of induc ors on the train spaced and energized according to the code desired, a row of receiving inductors on the track arranged each to receive impuisesgimultaneously from said inductors on vehicle, a circuit connected with each of said receiving inductors, a relay in each circuit, each relay in the circuit registering with an energized inductor being energized thereby and the remaining relays being deenergized, and means for registering the code represented by said energized relays in the energized position together with the remaining relays in the deenergized position.

3. A coding system for describing a train on a railway track, comprising a row of spaced inductors on the train, a row of registering receivers on the trackway, means for selectively energizing predeterminednumber of said inductors, a relay controlled by each receiver, the relay for each receiver registering with an energized inductor being simultaneously energized thereby and the remaining relays being deenergized and means for registering the code represented by said energized relays in the energized position together with the remaining relays in the deenergized position.

4. A system fol transmitting a code from a vehicle to the trackway, comprising a row of inductors on the vehicle, means for selectively energizing said inductors, a row of inductive receivers on the trackway registering with said vehicle inductors. a translating devic operated by each each of said receivers and registeringthe code transmitted by said vehicle inductors, and means on the trackway controlling said vehicle energizing means as the inductors and receivers come into register.

5. A code selective system for operating railway switches from cars on the. track, comprising scanning devices on the track adjacent the switch and arranged with'a character peculiar to each 13 switch on the same track, a car having a group of relays normally deenergized, means on the car for receiving an impulse from each scanning device for operating a particular relay of the group corresponding with the scanning device,

adjustable apparatus on the car controlling the circuit of each relay of the group so that a predetermined number of said relays will be operated by a predetermined arrangement of said scanning devices, a translating device having a circuit established by said predetermined relays in the energized position and by all the other relays in the deenergized position, and means controlling said switch by said translating device.

6. A code selective system for operating railway apparatus from cars on the track, comprising a track with scanning devices located at intervals thereon and each arranged with a characteristic peculiar to a particular code, a car having a group of relays normally deenergized, means on the car for inductively receiving an impulse from each scanning device for operating together particular relays of the group according to the code represented by the scanning devices, a translating device having a controlling circuit established by said particular relay in the energized position and by all the other relays in the deenergized position, and means controlling the railway apparatus and controlled by said translating device.

7. A railway system comprising a track with a turnout switch thereon, means for operating said switch, a vehicle on said track, a code selector on the vehicle, a plurality of members on the track transmitting impulses to the vehicle to operate the code selector, manual means for controlling the operation of said transmitting members accord- "ing to the code desired, and means on the track cooperating with the code selector controlling the switch operating means.

8. A coding system for controlling traffic on a railway track comprising a plurality of sets of members spaced on the track upon each of which a code, set up by impulses, may be registered by a group of said members, electrically controlled means on the vehicle registering with the trackway members for operating said members, a vehicle on said track, a devic on the vehicle controlling said electrically controlled means, means for adjusting said device to control said trackway members according to the desired code, and means on the trackway for operating said device.

9. A coding system for controlling traffic on a railway track comprising a plurality of sets of members spaced on the track upon each of which a code, set up by impulses, may be registered by a group of said members, a vehicle on the track, electrically controlled means on the vehicle registering with th trackway members for operating said members, a device on the vehicle controlling said electrically controlled means, means on the trackway for operating said device, and manually adjusted means controlling said sets of trackway members to change the code to which said members respond.

MATTHEW H. LOUGHRIDGE. 

